Ambassadors for Christ

Dear Friends,

One of the things I’ve come to love about living in Texas are the Bluebonnets. They bloom during the lent season, right before we celebrate Easter (April 21), and soon after we have welcomed spring (march 20th). Long patches of blue and purple stretch all along the roads and highways. For several weeks you’ll see people parked on the side of the road taking pictures with families and friends; capturing moments with the imfamous state flower.

Unfortunately, this year, most likely due to the colder weather we’ve had, the Bluebonnets were late in making their appearance. So much so, that their absence came up in several of my conversations with coworkers and others. It was during a conversation with one of my coworkers that I mentioned an observation I had made. I noticed that although we hadn’t seen the Bluebonnets yet I was seeing several patches of a small purple flowers that I hadn’t recognized in previous years. I continued to mention to my coworker that although they weren’t bluebonnets, they were still beautiful and that I was grateful for them. Immediately she exclaimed in disbelief! “What?!? But those are sticklers!” (For my non-southern readers sticklers are a ruthless plant which thorns “stick” onto your clothing, manage to get in your shoes, and most likely snag onto your hair.) “Are you sure?” I asked my friend. “Yes,” she replied, “the petals drop and leave behind the ball of thorns.” I had no idea, and couldn’t believe it! Here I had been admiring and appreciating something that in fact was destructive. In the absence of the true thing I almost became captivated by false beauty.

Jesus reminds us of a similar such lesson in the sermon on the mount.

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7: 15-16 Jesus cautions us and presents the reality that false prophets WILL arise. Friends, be careful to not do as I almost did: In your time of waiting and expecting don’t be fooled by the thing that seems beautiful. Don’t settle for the lesser, abandoning what God said is yours. For remember friends, “8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith,”

1 Peter 5:8-9.

As I continue to mature in Christ I’ve realized the magnitude of a discerning spirit. For as disciples on a mission, all of our time is important. If Satan can distract us or derail us even if for just a moment, he will. So my friends, seek the Father and continually ask Him for discernment and He will give it to you. “7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8.

Ask the Father to open your eyes to the people, opportunities, experiences, and places that bear no fruit. Ask Him to give you the courage and faith you will need to say no to the false beauty as you wait for the true fruit.

I pray that this week you experience an extra level of wisdom and maturity in the Father. I pray Ephesians 6 as a blessing over you as you continue to fight the good fight.

Abundantly With Love,

The Anonymous Wife